A few days had passed since USJ, all of us recovered and ready to go again. School security had been tripled, and Class 1-A had become famous overnight. We were often approached by people from the news, trying to get us to spill what happened. Aizawa had told us all we were strictly forbidden from speaking about it until they got it all sorted out. I was currently in my apartment, hiding from the news crew that wouldn't leave me door.

"Please, just a few questions!" a muffled voice called, begging. I stuffed a pillow over my face. It was Saturday, so no school today, and I was bored.

"Oh! You're in Class 1-A as well, right? Please, we just want you to answer a few questions!"

I sit up, letting the pillow fall to my lap, and a familiar knock lands on the door. I yank open the door, dragging Eijiro inside, then close and lock the door before anyone can press inside. He was panting, probably ran the entire way to my apartment.

"Well, you got a fan base," he says, taking off his shoes.

"Not entirely wanted," I respond, ignoring the cries that came from the other side of the door. He chuckles, walking with me to my couch.

"Whadd'ya wanna do today?" I ask, stretching my arms above my head.

"Well, I was thinking we could go see a movie or something, but I guess we're locked in," he chuckles, rubbing the back of his head. If we were close friends before USJ, we had become best friends after it. A ding came from his pocket and he pulled out his phone, reading the message.

"Kaminari's asking if we're free today," he states, holding it up so I can read it too.

"I mean, we are if we want to go through that crowd for whatever he wants," I say, jerking my head at the door, muffled pleads still coming through.

"Let's just stall for now. They'll go away soon, then we can meet him."

A few minutes later the shouting dies down and there's the sound of many people shuffling away, disappointed. I peer through the glass hole, seeing nobody left standing around, and wave Eijiro over.

"We're in the clear. Finally," I say, putting my shoes on, "Did Pikachu say where he wanted to go?"

"He said to meet him in the park. I told him we were a bit trapped and would be late, but he's also got Sero with him."

"Alright, let's go," I respond, opening the door a crack and looking through. Everyone was gone already, so I opened it wider and shuffled out, holding it open for Eijiro. We walk in silence down the stairs, checking up and down the street anxiously before stepping out. It had become a habit by now to check of there were any vans or large groups of people standing around holding cameras and microphones. We make our way down to the park, avoiding who we can, and join the others within a few minutes.

"Sorry for taking so long, the news team showed up and tried to bust my door down," I say, raising a hand in greeting. They wave back, chuckling, and we sit at a picnic bench together. Sero digs through his bag for a few seconds before taking out a few containers, setting them on the wooden table and uncovering them. The food is revealed, but I'm not all that hungry. Eijiro keeps trying to force feed me, telling me it's too good to pass up, but I keep wriggling out of his grasp, much to the amusement of the other two. When they're done eating, they pack up and we walk down a few paths together. The three of them were engaged in a deep conversation, but I was off in my own world.

"And then she turned the game right around and beat me! Isn't that right, (Y/N)?" Eijiro asks, laughing. I stumble as I'm jerked back to reality, blinking a few times and looking at him in confusion.

"What?" I ask as they laugh at my deer in headlights confusion.

"When you beat me at that Pokemon game!" he says, still grinning. It takes me a few seconds to remember what happened and I try to smile, but it comes out twisted and they laugh harder.

"Shut up, I'm trying!" I snap, crossing my arms and feigning anger.

"Noooo I'm sorry! Forgive meeee!" Eijiro moans, slumping while still walking. I chuckle, quickly moving to cover my smile with the back of my hand. It's no good, however, and we all end up laughing together. We reach the end of the forest path, ending up on the street.

"Where next?" Sero asks, looking around.

"I know that Eijiro wanted to watch a movie," I say, remembering this morning when he said he wanted to go to the cinemas. He averts his eyes and we start walking deeper into the city, towards the shopping mall. Halfway there, a thought strikes me.

"Do we have any money?"

We all freeze for a second, then collectively face palm.

"Well, there goes that plan," Denki mutters, shaking his head.

"At least we tried," Eijiro says, chuckling. I laugh as well, my elevated mood not allowing disappointment. This was the first time I had hung out with friends in... years. A sudden shift in the air throws me off, but only I notice it. My eyes narrow and I turn my gaze around to the shadows. Eijiro notices my expression first.

"(Y/N)? What's up?" he asks, diverting Sero's and Denki's attention to me as well.

"I thought someone was watching us just then," I say, turning back to them. They also look around, a bit worried, but we waved it off as someone recognising us. Continuing up the road, we head to the mall anyway, just for something to do. We stay together at first but a sudden rush of people forces us apart. I find myself standing alone and grinning evilly as I watch Denki reach a hand out to me, playfully begging me to save him. With the grin stuck on my face, I twirl and wave at him, pretending to walk away before breaking and going back to get him. Pulling him from the crowd, we walk together to find the others.

"Just look for a red spike and a plain guy," I joke, dragging him along by the hand so we don't get separated again. I don't register his red face until I turn back to look at him and make sure he's okay.

"What's up? You look kinda sick," I say finally separating from the group by going down a little alley between shops. His face turns redder and I realise I was still holding his hand. I quickly let go, peering around the corner of the buildings to check if our friends were nearby. Denki was averting his eyes, staring at the ground. When no familiar features enter my vision, I duck back into the darkness and sigh, sliding to the ground.

"Might as well wait here until either they show up or the crowd leaves," I state, legs splayed in front of me and arms crossed. Denki sits down as well, leaning against the opposite wall. His face was slightly less red now, but that might just be the dim lighting. A few minutes pass and the crowd thins, allowing us to stick our heads out again.

"Hey... wait, that's (Y/N)!"

My head swivels at the sound of my name and I recognise a reporter from this morning approaching me.

"Denki, we have to go," I say urgently as more people take notice.

"What about-"

"Nevermind the others, they'll be fine. Let's go!" I say, dragging him to his feet and rushing out of the alley into the open.

"Hey, wait!" the reporter cries, giving chase. I run faster, pulling Denki along behind me. A redhead suddenly walks into view, his hair spiked upwards.

"Eijiro, there are reporters. We're leaving," I say, quickly grabbing him as well. He stumble along but catches himself, making me release my grip on his wrist. Something flies overhead, a person using their Quirk, and the reporter lands in front of us.

"Wait, please! Just a few minutes!" he begs as we swerve around him, heading for the exit. Sero was waiting there already, leaning against a pillar, and his eyes widen as we run past him, calling for him to follow us. He joins us as we reach the exit, but stumble back as a dark green, murky liquid sprays between the pillars and stick.

"What is this?" I ask, reaching for it. Eijiro grabs my arm, holding me back and forcing me behind him.

"That's the Villain that caught Bakugou! How did it escape?" he cries, backing away and taking us with him. A face appears in the sludge, a menacing grin and bloodshot eyes. My mind flashes back to when I was watching the news on my small TV, tucked away in a corner. This Villain had supposedly been captured by All Might after attacking Midoriya, then escaped and attacked Bakugou, using his Quirk to burn down buildings before he was stopped. He was supposed to be locked up! Why was he here?

"Ahh, so good to be free!" the Villain cried, then sweeps its eyes over us. A crowd had gathered, pointing and murmuring at the wall of sewage in front of them. The Villain grins, then lurches forwards. I just barely manage to shove my friends out of the way, at the cost of being hit by myself instead of all four of us.

"(Y/N)!" Eijiro cries as I'm swept away towards the wall, reaching his arms out.

'What did I just fucking do?! (Y/N) you absolute idiot!!' I cry in my head, gagging as the liquid floods my mouth and nose. Thankfully, nobody else had been caught in the attack. Unthankfully, I was now suffocating. With my air supply cut off, all I could do was claw weakly at the fluid around me. Something wraps around my waist and tugs me forwards, towards the crowd, and when I look down I dimly recognise Sero's tape. Denki was burying his hands in the sewage, discharging small electric shocks to keep the Villain at bay, while Eijiro was rushing towards me. With the help of the tape, he ripped me from the liquid and cradled me in his arms as he ran back to the crowd. I swallow deep lungfuls of air, coughing up residue green liquid that had entered my body.

"Thanks, guys," I say weakly as Eijiro places me on the ground, checking for any injuries. Screams echo around me, dimmed by the sound of blood throbbing in my ears as darkness closes around my vision.

'Shit, not now! Not when everyone's still in danger!' I think, struggling to stay conscious. I lose the battle, slipping into the dark embrace of unconsciousness.

~ Eijiro's P.O.V ~

At first I thought she was gone. Then she breathed again. I sighed heavily in relief, pushing down the tears that threatened to spill, and turned to face the sludge Villain. We just needed to hold out until the pro heroes arrived, that was all. Leaping forwards, my arms hardened, I put my trust in Sero to keep (Y/N) safe. Striking relentlessly at the liquid, all I managed to do was get my arms coated in the disgusting fluid. My Quirk was basically useless against someone without a physical body I could hit. Kaminari was having the same problem, his electricity barely phasing the monstrosity. Without warning, an immense gust of wind blew through the mall, blowing most of us back. Sero used his tape to catch me and (Y/N), but Kaminari was blown away. The sludge Villain burst into pieces, landing with wet slaps on the polished floor. Standing behind where it used to be, with his fist outstretched, was All Might.

"It's okay now! Why?" he cries, immediately scooping up bits of Villain and placing them in a container.

" Because I am here!"

My heart leaps to my throat as I realise we're safe. My thoughts immediately turn to (Y/N) and I turn around to face her, noticing Sero had laid her in a more comfortable position. Kneeling next to her, I place my index finger against her lip and feel her breath, sighing in relief. I pick her up bridal style and stand up, walking over to All Might.

"Ah! Young Kirishima-" he begins, then cuts himself off as he notices (Y/N) unconscious in my arms. My pulse was still racing, I could feel it in my chest, neck and wrist. I was still pumped full of adrenaline and would remain that way until I knew (Y/N) was going to be okay. All Might takes her from me without a word, carrying her down the road leading to the hospital. Kaminari staggers up next to me, rubbing his head.

"Hit my head on the way down. You okay?" he asks, giving a weak smile. My mouth was set in a straight line as I watched All Might's retreating figure.

"I think so. I'm just worried about (Y/N)," I reply as they turn the corner, out of sight. Kaminari chuckles, patting me on the back.

"Man, if you love her that much then just tell her," he says, turning to Sero before I can respond. Even so, my face heats up and I know it's turned red.

'Just tell her,' his voice echoes, and I cross my arms.

"Just because we're friends doesn't mean we like eachother," I mumble to nobody in particular, glaring at the ground. Without warning, I stride away, leaving the other two in the dust.